While meat and raw meaty bones are the mainstays of a dog’s diet, many other foods supply essential nutrients. To help your dog’s body remain in homeostasis or balance, it is critical to provide a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms, to your dog’s bowl. This article will focus on the benefits of adding medicinal mushrooms for your dog’s overall health and well-being.

Because not all mushrooms are safe for consumption, you must know which ones to feed and the proper amount to provide to your dog.

Not all mushrooms are the same! Avoid letting your dog eat mushrooms growing in your yard, in the woods, or a field unless you are sure of the type and that no pesticides have been sprayed. 

If your dog eats a wild mushroom and you need clarification on the type, try to get a picture of the mushroom. If you cannot identify the mushroom, you may need to contact your veterinarian to see if it poses any danger to your pup. The wrong mushroom type can cause diarrhea, vomiting, neurological issues, or disorientation. 

However, once you understand mushrooms, you can provide them to your dog for incredible health benefits. Holistic practitioners use mushrooms not only for food but also for healing. Medicinal mushrooms come in a variety of forms.

Each type of mushroom has a unique nutrient profile and medicinal benefits. They contain varying amounts of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and fiber.

Mushrooms offer a diverse array of essential vitamins crucial for overall health. They are among the few natural vitamin D sources if grown in sunlight. Vitamin D is vital for your dog’s bone health, immune function, and general well-being. 

Mushrooms boast various B vitamins like riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), and folate (B9), which are pivotal for energy production, red blood cell formation and the nervous system's function in your dog. 

While not as rich in vitamin C as some fruits or vegetables, certain mushroom varieties contain small amounts of this antioxidant, contributing to immune system support and overall health. Some mushrooms contain beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, vital for vision, skin health, and immune function. In contrast, other varieties have vitamin K, which aids blood clotting, promotes bone health, and supports cardiovascular well-being.

The mineral content of mushrooms varies depending on the species, growth conditions, and soil composition. Incorporating a diverse range of mushrooms into your dog’s diet can provide various minerals essential for overall health. 

Shitake mushrooms contain selenium, which has antioxidant properties that support your dog’s immune system and thyroid function. Oyster mushrooms contain copper, crucial for maintaining healthy bones, nerves, and red blood cell production. Zinc, a mineral essential for supporting your dog’s immune function, wound healing, and cell division, is found in shiitake and maitake mushrooms.

Portobello and crimini mushrooms contain potassium, a mineral vital for your dog’s heart health, muscle function, and proper fluid balance. Iron, necessary for carrying oxygen in the blood and maintaining energy levels, and magnesium, essential for muscle and nerve function and bone health, are also present in varying amounts in certain mushrooms.

Several enzymes contribute to medicinal mushrooms' digestive properties and potential health benefits. However, the enzyme content in mushrooms can vary based on the species and the mushroom's growth stage. Incorporating a variety of mushrooms into the diet will provide your dog with a range of enzymes and other health-promoting compounds.

Among the enzymes in mushrooms, laccase has excellent antioxidant properties, contributing to the breakdown of environmental toxins. Peroxidase plays a crucial role in multiple metabolic functions, including the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide. Cellulase plays a pivotal part in cellulose breakdown, aiding in the digestion of fibrous substances. Proteases actively break down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids, while amylase works on carbohydrates like starches and glycogen, transforming them into simpler sugars. These enzymes collectively contribute to the holistic health benefits offered by these mushrooms.

Getting fiber into your dog’s bowl can be challenging if your dog refuses to eat fruits and vegetables. Mushrooms are a good source of dietary fiber. While the exact fiber content can vary among different types of mushrooms, they generally contain considerable amounts of soluble and insoluble fiber. This fiber content contributes to digestive health.

The health benefits of medicinal mushrooms are numerous, including:

Immune Support: Mushrooms like reishi and shiitake contain compounds that can bolster a dog's immune system, helping them avoid illnesses and infections.

Antioxidant Properties: Many medicinal mushrooms are rich in antioxidants, which can help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Joint Health: Some mushrooms might have properties that support joint health and mobility, potentially beneficial for aging dogs or those with joint issues.

Heart Health: Some mushrooms support cardiovascular health by aiding in managing cholesterol levels and promoting healthy blood pressure.

Blood Sugar Management: Research suggests that certain mushrooms might help regulate blood sugar levels, which benefits dogs with diabetes.

Cognitive Function: Certain mushrooms have shown promise in supporting cognitive health, potentially improving memory, focus, and overall brain function.

Antimicrobial Properties: Some mushrooms possess antimicrobial properties, potentially aiding in fighting off infections and promoting overall immune health.

Improved Digestion: Mushrooms like lion's mane may promote gut health and aid digestion, potentially helping dogs with digestive issues.

Stress Reduction: Adaptogenic mushrooms such as reishi could help dogs adapt to stress, supporting mental well-being.

Overall Well-being: Medicinal mushrooms may contribute to a dog's overall health, vitality, and longevity when included in your dog’s diet.

Medicinal mushrooms refer to certain fungi species that possess health-promoting properties and have been traditionally used in various cultures for their therapeutic benefits. These mushrooms contain bioactive compounds like polysaccharides, terpenoids, and other secondary metabolites that are believed to offer medicinal or health-supporting properties.

Commonly used medicinal mushrooms for dogs include:

Cordyceps: Cordyceps mushrooms have been shown to have anti-tumor properties and liver and heart disease protection.

Agaricus: With its high content of polysaccharides and cellular-growth-supporting compounds, Agaricus is often regarded as an immune-supporting mushroom. Polysaccharides are sugars essential for your dog’s immune system to function and protect it from infection and disease. Agaricus aids in the maintenance of safe cholesterol levels, digestion, heart health, and blood sugar regulation.

Maitake: T-cells are stimulated, tumor growth is inhibited, and cholesterol is reduced when these mushrooms are consumed. These mushrooms are well-known for cancer prevention, cancer treatment support, diabetes management, and liver health support.

Shiitake: Shiitake mushrooms contain 30 different enzymes and 10 different amino acids. Minerals such as calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron, and selenium are also present. They have been shown to improve the overall well-being of your dog. They increase circulation and activate white blood cells. They can also slow tumor growth and reduce cholesterol levels.

Reishi: Anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immune-stimulating factors are all found in reishi mushrooms. As a result, they're excellent for improving overall well-being.

Coriolus: Cariolus versicolor, also called turkey tail mushrooms, have been scientifically shown to increase survival times in dogs with a type of cancer known as hemangiosarcoma

Chaga: The main benefit of Chaga mushrooms is their profound effect on the immune system. They boost the immune system when needed but can also slow it down when it is overactive, such as with allergies or autoimmune diseases. 

Lion’s Mane: Lion’s Mane is a widely used mushroom that contains several biologically active anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidation substances.

PMushrooms contain compounds known as beta-glucans, which are well-known for their immune-boosting and anti-cancer effects. Cancer prevention is a primary reason for feeding your dog a species-appropriate diet. Adding mushrooms to your dog’s diet will further aid in cancer prevention.

The immune support provided by medicinal mushrooms can benefit dogs who have already been diagnosed with cancer. To fight against cancer , your dog requires as much immune strength as possible. The mushroom continues to aid the immune system by supporting the processes for your dog’s body to fight off cancer cells. 

Medicinal mushrooms have been found to help mitigate toxic side effects such as nausea and lethargy, allowing your dog to feel better sooner while undergoing chemotherapy.

Raw mushrooms should never be fed to dogs because they are difficult to digest and may be toxic. Making tea or broth out of dried mushrooms or adding a powder to your dog’s meal is an easy way to provide the mushrooms. 

Because every mushroom type causes different reactions within your dog’s body, you should consult a holistic veterinarian before feeding them for specific conditions. For example, Chaga mushrooms can interact with anticoagulant medications, potentially increasing their effects.

The general dose for mushroom powder is 10mg-25mg per pound of body weight. Your veterinarian can adjust according to the condition of your dog. For example, in a study using Yunzhi (Coriolus versicolor), the dose of 45.5 mg per pound daily was found to be the most effective for hemangiosarcoma treatment, increasing the survival rate by more than six months. 

Another example is the supplementation of Lion’s Mane mushrooms for kibble-fed dogs. Studies have shown anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity benefits at just 0.2-0.4mg/pound of body weight by altering the population of beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome. 

Studies have also established the following recommended doses for commonly used mushrooms:

Reishi- 20mg-25mg/pound can be given twice daily. The higher dose is recommended for cancer treatment.

Cordyceps- 20mg/pound twice daily is recommended for dogs with kidney disease.

Maitake- 25mg/pound twice daily for kidney disease and cancer.

Shiitake- 25mg-50 mg/pound twice daily for kidney disease and cancer.

Most products will have suggestions for feeding on the packaging. When purchasing powdered mushrooms or mushroom blends, you want to determine where the product originates and how the mushrooms are grown. Ensure the product is tested for heavy metals and that the company is willing to provide a certificate of analysis. 

Medicinal mushrooms are an excellent way to improve your dog’s well-being and combat common ailments.

Medicinal mushrooms can be purchased as blends or powders and easily added to your dog’s diet.

Supplementing your dog’s diet with various mushrooms will add vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and beta-glucans to improve immunity, digestion, and overall health.

Understanding the power of medicinal mushrooms in your practice | IVC Journal 

Mushroom-derived compound lengthens survival in dogs with cancer, study suggests -- ScienceDaily 

Anticancer and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Ganoderma lucidum Extract Effects on Melanoma and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment - PMC 

The Use of Lentinan for Treating Gastric Cancer - PMC 

Continuous intake of the Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) aqueous extract suppresses cancer progression and maintains body temperature in mice 

Single Agent Polysaccharopeptide Delays Metastases and Improves Survival in Naturally Occurring Hemangiosarcoma - PMC 

Comparative Effect of Maitake Pro4x with Chemotherapy Breast Cancer Treatment 

Coriolus versicolor | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 

Potential growth inhibitory effect of maitake D-fraction on canine cancer cells. | Semantic Scholar 

Cordyceps as an Herbal Drug - Herbal Medicine - NCBI Bookshelf 

Immune Modulation From Five Major Mushrooms: Application to Integrative Oncology - PMC 

Mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, but they’re only recently starting to get real attention in the world of canine health. As more dog parents move toward fresh feeding and whole-food nutrition, interest in functional ingredients, like medicinal mushrooms, has grown right alongside it.

What Mushrooms Do I Add In My Dog's Diet?

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